Immersion Cooling With Closed-Loop Condensation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional air cooling is inadequate for high-speed and high-data processing electronic equipment, and while immersion cooling with nonconductive fluids like NOVEC™ 649 offers effective cooling, issues arise from moisture contamination and high costs due to fluid loss through evaporation.
Innovation Solution
A pressure-sealed tank system with a vapor space connected to a condenser is used for immersion cooling, where the electronic equipment generates heat to evaporate a dielectric heat transfer fluid, which is then condensed and returned, with power adjustments to manage pressure and equilibrium, and optional filtering and desiccant use to maintain dryness and efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If water is used for immersion cooling, then cooling effectiveness is improved, but electrical conductivity causes insulation requirements that reduce cooling effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a dielectric liquid cooling fluid that is electrically non-conductive, allowing direct immersion of electronic components without insulation barriers. This resolves the contradiction by providing both effective thermal contact and electrical isolation in a single fluid medium.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs a specialized dielectric liquid that combines the thermal properties of water with the electrical insulation properties of non-conductive fluids. This composite material approach achieves both high cooling effectiveness and electrical safety simultaneously.
2Temperature
If specialized cooling liquids are used, then cooling effectiveness is improved, but cost increases due to evaporation loss
Solution Approach 1:
The system utilizes phase transition (evaporation and condensation) of the dielectric cooling fluid in a closed-loop system. The fluid evaporates to absorb heat from electronic components, then condenses and returns to liquid form, creating a sustainable cycle that minimizes fluid loss while maintaining effective cooling.
Solution Approach 2:
The closed-loop system ensures continuous circulation and reuse of the dielectric cooling fluid through evaporation and condensation cycles. This continuous process eliminates the need for frequent fluid replacement and minimizes loss, addressing the cost concern while maintaining cooling effectiveness.
3Stress or pressure
If power consumption is increased to increase heat generation, then pressure of heat transfer fluid vapor increases improving condenser effectiveness, but energy efficiency worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses feedback control where the heat generated by electronic equipment naturally drives the evaporation and condensation cycle. The vapor pressure builds up in response to actual heat load, and the condenser effectiveness automatically adjusts to match the thermal demand, eliminating the need for artificial pressure increases and maintaining energy efficiency.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This method enhances cooling effectiveness by managing pressure and minimizing fluid loss, reducing power consumption, and maintaining system equilibrium while preventing moisture and particle contamination, thus optimizing the immersion cooling process.
Implementation Method 1
The electronic equipment is operated to generate heat so as to evaporate some of the heat transfer fluid and cause heat transfer fluid vapor to enter the condenser
Implementation Method 2
The heat transfer fluid vapor is condensed in the condenser, such that gaseous heat transfer fluid returns to its liquid state
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A method of apparatus for immersion cooling electronic equipment including immersing the electronic equipment in a pressure-sealed tank containing a heat transfer fluid and including a vapor space fluidicly coupled to a condenser; operating the electronic equipment to generate heat and evaporate some of the heat transfer fluid, causing heat transfer fluid vapor to enter the condenser; condensing the heat transfer fluid vapor in the condenser to produce a condensate; returning the condensate to the tank; and increasing power consumption to increase heat generated by the electronic equipment and develop an increased pressure of the heat transfer fluid vapor to bring the apparatus into an equilibrium condition.